Potts played for Wellington Scouts, Northwood Mission and Stoke City before joining Port Vale in August 1945.
[1] Potts featured 21 times in 1951–52, as short-term boss Ivor Powell was replaced by Freddie Steele.
[1] In the 1953–54 season, the "Iron Curtain" defence of Ray King (goalkeeper), Tommy Cheadle, Potts, Stan Turner and Roy Sproson were a key part of Vale's success in winning the league and reaching the FA Cup semi-finals.
[1] Former teammate Graham Barnett later recalled how Potts and fellow defender Stan Turner did not get along and refused to speak to each other despite playing alongside each other for eight years.
[2] Potts was sold to Southern League side Worcester City in July 1957, later moving on to Macclesfield Town in 1960, becoming a key player for the "Silkmen" until he lost his first-team place in February 1961.